Calamari Recipe

This crispy and crunchy calamari recipe features fresh squid lightly breaded with panko, then baked until every piece is crispy and golden. Serve with lemon wedges and dipping sauce, and dig in!

If you crave the crunch of breaded seafood dishes, like coconut shrimp, salmon croquettes, and tuna croquettes, then you’ll love this baked calamari recipe!

I gave this popular appetizer an upgrade by skipping the heavy deep fryer oil. The squid is lightly breaded with panko, then baked until each piece is satisfyingly crunchy, tender, and succulent.

Baking calamari instead of frying isn’t the traditional way of preparing this delicious appetizer. It’s an even easier cooking method that helps you skip the deep fryer oil, greasy bites, and messy kitchen! Keep this recipe in your back pocket whenever you need an easy party snack or appetizer for your seafood dinner. 

Table of Contents

1. What is calamari?
2. Is calamari octopus or squid?
3. Why you’ll love this crispy calamari recipe
4. Ingredients needed
5. How to cook calamari
6. Tips to make the best recipe
7. What to serve with this dish
8. Storage instructions
9. Recommended tools to make this recipe
10. More seafood appetizers
11. Frequently asked questions 
12. Crispy Calamari Recipe

Is calamari octopus or squid?

Calamari is always made from squid. Octopus is an entirely different species of the cephalopod family and is prepared and used in very different dishes.

Why you’ll love this crispy calamari recipe

• It’s surprisingly simple! My calamari recipe is almost as easy as throwing a bag of frozen calamari in the oven. All you need to do is hand-bread the calamari, then bake them in the oven until they’re crunchy and golden!
• Basic ingredients. This beloved seafood recipe calls for the simplest ingredients you can find at well-stocked grocery stores or in your own pantry.
• Baked instead of fried. By baking the calamari instead of frying, you get to skip the heavy deep fryer oil and greasy mess. 

Ingredients needed

Here’s everything you need to make hand-breaded and baked calamari:

• Fresh calamari. You can buy whole fresh squid or calamari tubes for this recipe. If you opt for a whole squid, buy a small to medium-sized cleaned squid, as they tend to be more tender and flavorful. Also, make sure the tubular-shaped body and tentacles are firm, glossy, and free of any funky odors and slime.
• Olive oil. This keeps the meat moist as it cooks.
• Lemon juice. To tenderize and enhance the flavor.
• Panko breadcrumbs. These light and airy breadcrumbs give the calamari a more satisfying crunch compared to regular breadcrumbs.
• Dry spices. Salt, oregano, and black pepper are used to season the panko breading. You can experiment with more spices, like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or cayenne, if you want to play with or enhance the flavors.

How to cook calamari

Follow these instructions to cook perfectly crispy calamari without deep frying: 

Step 1 – Soak the squid

Mix the olive oil and lemon juice in a bowl. Submerge the calamari in the marinade and let it soak for 30 minutes. 

Step 2 – Season the breadcrumbs

Stir the panko, salt, oregano, and black pepper together in a bowl. 

Step 3 – Bread the squid

Working in batches, dredge the marinated calamari in the seasoned panko.

Step 4 – Bake and serve

Place the breaded calamari on a baking sheet, and bake until the breading is crisp and golden brown.

Serve immediately with lemon wedges, and enjoy!

Air fryer calamari

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/200°C. 
2. Arrange the breaded squid in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. 
3. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through. 

Deep fried calamari

1. Fill the deep fryer or a large pot with cooking oil. 
2. Once it’s heated to 350°F/175°C, carefully lower a small portion of the breaded calamari into the fryer and cook until crispy and golden. 
3. Drain the fried calamari on a paper-towel-lined plate, then repeat with the remaining pieces. 

Tips to make the best recipe

• Don’t skip the soak! Marinating squid in olive oil and lemon juice is the key to achieving soft and flavorful meat. The calamari will be rubbery without it.
• Bake in a single layer. Place the calamari in a single layer on the baking sheet, making sure there’s room in between each piece. This way, the heat will circulate evenly around the calamari, helping it brown and crisp.
• Bake on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet. This is optional, but can leave you with extra crispy baked calamari!

What to serve with this dish

Lemon wedges and a platter of dipping sauces, like marinara, aioli, and tartar sauce, are a must when serving calamari to guests. As for sides, pair the squid with a vibrant mixed green salad, cooked veggies (like zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, or asparagus), and crusty garlic bread.

Storage instructions

To store: Transfer the leftover calamari to an airtight container, keeping every layer separated with paper towels. Store in the fridge for 1 to 2 days.

To reheat: Warm the leftovers on a baking sheet in a 350°F/175°C oven until heated through and crispy. 

Recommended tools to make this recipe

• Mixing bowls. Large and medium-sized mixing bowls are needed to marinate the calamari and mix the seasoned breadcrumbs.
• Baking sheets. To bake the breaded calamari.

More seafood appetizers

• Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
• Air Fryer Crab Cakes 
• Curried Tuna Patties
• Curried Salmon Patties
• Bang Bang Shrimp
• Crab Rangoon

Frequently asked questions